Facial Recognition Required for Mobile Registration to Block Illegal Phones... Mobile ID and Transcript Also Accepted (Comprehensive)

Full Implementation of Facial Recognition Starting July 6 to Block Identity Theft
Authentication Also Possible with Mobile ID or Same-Day Issued Resident Registration Transcript
Subscription Restriction Service to Be Provided by Default from November
Telecom Industry: "We Support the Initiative... Will Enhance Related Systems"

In an effort to prevent crimes such as voice phishing and the use of illegal phones, the government will implement facial recognition during the mobile phone registration process starting July 6. In addition to facial recognition, users can also verify their identity through alternative authentication methods, such as mobile identification cards or a resident registration transcript.

On June 30, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced the "Comprehensive Measures to Prevent Mobile Phone Misuse" as a follow-up to the pan-government initiative to eradicate voice phishing. The ministry stated that, beginning next month, identity verification during mobile phone registration will be strengthened through facial recognition in order to prevent identity theft crimes.

Choi Woohyeok, Director of the Information Security Network Policy Office at the Ministry of Science and ICT, is announcing measures to prevent unauthorized use of mobile phones, including the introduction of a facial recognition system, at the Government Seoul Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 30th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

From July 6, consumers will be required to undergo facial recognition before registering their mobile phones. The system will compare the ID photo with real-time facial features captured during the process to confirm whether they are the same person. If facial recognition fails, registration may still be permitted, provided the individual's identity can be confirmed through other means and the process is logged.

The government is tightening identity verification during mobile phone registration because the increase in contactless registration services has been accompanied by a rise in illegal phones. Large quantities of illegal phones, created by stealing others' identities or forging ID cards, are being distributed and exploited in crimes such as voice phishing. According to the government, 20,000 cases of illegal phones were detected last year, and losses from voice phishing totaled 1.3 trillion won.

Addressing concerns about the risk of facial data leaks, the government explained that original images are neither stored nor retained, and all related information is deleted immediately after the facial comparison is completed. During pilot operations, no security vulnerabilities related to information leaks were identified.

Users who do not wish to use facial recognition can verify their identity using the mobile ID app provided by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety or with a same-day issued resident registration transcript. This measure was taken in response to the Personal Information Protection Commission and the National Human Rights Commission of Korea pointing out the lack of a legal basis for the facial recognition system. Initially, it was considered to conduct facial recognition using the "PASS" app, the authentication app provided by the three major telecom operators, but this plan was not included in the current measures.

Measures to Prevent Unauthorized Registration of Corporate Phones

The range of alternative authentication methods, currently limited to mobile IDs and resident registration transcripts, will be expanded in the future. The government will consider introducing additional alternative authentication methods in August for user convenience. In September, verification of forged or tampered resident registration transcripts will be automatically linked to the identity verification process. In October, the Enforcement Decree of the Telecommunications Business Act will be revised to establish a legal basis for facial recognition.

Starting in November, the "Subscription Restriction Service (mSafer)", which users previously had to request, will be provided by default during the mobile phone registration contract, completely blocking unwanted phone registrations. For foreigners, the government will cooperate with the Ministry of Justice to upgrade the system verifying ID authenticity and will enforce stricter requirements (adhering to the one-person, one-line rule).

Additionally, to prevent so-called "durable phone" crimes, in which a person's identity is lent in exchange for loans or high-paying part-time jobs, telecom operators will be required to inform users of the illegality and potential penalties for using illegal phones and will be obligated to take preventive measures. Registration will also be restricted for high-risk cases, such as when multiple expensive devices are registered in installments within a short period.

To prevent unauthorized registration of corporate phones, the government will: ▲ Improve the system for verifying the authenticity of required documents ▲ Implement a real-user registration system for some corporate phones of businesses with high default rates ▲ Introduce a multi-line cap (limiting to four lines within 180 days) that covers all lines, including new and terminated ones.

Crackdowns on telecom operators and retailers will continue. In the second half of the year, the government will select vulnerable areas for intensive crackdowns and consider introducing a reward system for reporting illegal phones. Previously, the Central Radio Management Service of the Ministry of Science and ICT, together with the Korea Communications Commission and the National Police Agency, conducted joint inspections. As a result, those caught for illegal registration—Youngjin Telecom, Chingu INC, and Hanpass International—are undergoing procedures for business suspension, while OnseTellingk, which falsified (manipulated) caller IDs, is subject to deregistration procedures.

Choi Woohyeok, policy chief of the Information Protection Network Policy Office at the Ministry of Science and ICT, stated, "At a time when illegal phones are becoming a key tool in various crimes affecting people's livelihoods, strengthening identity verification at the registration stage can be the most effective preemptive measure to protect citizens' property and identity."

Industry groups welcomed the new measures. The Korea Telecommunications Operators Association, the Korea Mobile Virtual Network Operators Association, and the Korea Mobile Distribution Association issued a joint statement, saying, "We fully support this comprehensive plan." They added, "We will continue our efforts to supplement related systems and provide ongoing public outreach and training so that the phased introduction of multi-factor authentication, as announced by the government, is smoothly implemented in the field."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.